FEBRUARY 2018
WELLINGTON
At the first meeting of 2018 A very depressing and technical subject was brought to life! Members and visitors listened with great interest to Nicky Heath explain, in very simple terms, about making a will and the importance of an executor and lasting powers of attorney. Nicky spoke with great clarity, humour and realism without using legal terminology, making the evening informative and extremely enjoyable. We are all off to the solicitors to get our affairs in order!
Some Institutes will be planning their Summer trips at this time of year. Wellington W.I. would like to promote a much underused and unknown resource in the Coningsby Hospital! You may have noticed the small ancient building in Widemarsh St. When you approach Hereford town centre, well, behind this entrance is the most fascinating museum and homes for ex-military and related servicemen and women. Further behind this, which is open all year round is the remains of the 1276 Friars House and rose garden.
The museum is open 2 days per week and can be booked for visits. You won’t be disappointed, we had a fabulous time!
The Friars House
WYE WOMEN
Despite a weekend of rain a couple of weeks ago Wye Women Walkers still braved the January weather and had a very enjoyable walk around Hampton Bishop along the Wye. Followed by a soup lunch put on by one of our members who lives in the Village.
CRADLEY
Cradley WI welcomed Catherine Clark to their first meeting of the year in February. Her talk entitled ‘My Life In Hats’ was all about her love of Hats which all started when she was the fashion buyer for Harrods early on in her career. An amazing selection which we all had fun trying on after her talk.
HOLMER
At our February meeting, Collette Mansell Gray -local author and designer- spoke about antique jewellery and collectables. She brought a huge selection of items from her own vast and eclectic collection, to create a fascinating display , largely from the Art Deco and Victorian historical periods, including; - some lockets and brooches which contained miniature works of art painted with a brush of a single hair by very young girls, jewellery made from amber, silver, coral, pearl and other materials. Collette told members about a visit to the jewellery quarter in Birmingham, when she went on an organised tour concerning the work of jeweller Thomas Mott, who fashioned exquisite jewellery including some pieces which were embellished with real butterfly wings! Much sought after in 1920s/1930s but not politically correct these days! Another anecdote which shows how attitudes have changed over time was about Collette's great - grandmother , who came to Herefordshire as a milliner and often included birds( dead and stuffed!) in her creations! She must have been a very colourful sight indeed!
A vote of thanks was given by Jackie Hancock , followed by an enthusiastic round of applause.
The ladies of WIs throughout Herefordshire have been assiduously knitting teddies for the poorly children in Hereford County Hospital. Jane Jenkins, Holmer WI treasurer, has co-ordinated this project and has taken 550 teddies to the hospital for the children over the last year and three quarters. Thank you Jane and thank you ladies.
In the photo,from the left, Talia Wheeler, Collette Gray, Sue Howells and Pauline Shannon are showing some of Collette's collection.
Holmer WI meets next on Wednesday March 7 th at 7.30 pm in St. Marys church , Grandstand Road. Colin Bates will speak to us about his rather yummy sounding work at Cadburys! Just in time for Easter! Come along and join us in listening to this fascinating subject, complete with samples!
PETERSTOW
The speaker for our February meeting, Kenneth Reeve, explained how he became an evacuee of the second world war. Living in London in a children’s home, at the age of six, he was in the first tranche of children to be evacuated when London feared a raid on the city.
Kenneth retold the story of the children being rehomed by various means of transport, to different areas of the country and world. He gave details of how 1400 WI members helped the evacuation of the children throughout the country, with boys being taken first by the families.
The speaker proceeded to relive several events which happened during the 6 years he spent near Bedford. Our members enjoyed the informative talk and thanked him for his visit.
TUPSLEY
Snow, beautiful as it is to look at created a ‘Snowball’ effect for our meeting and Christmas lunch with entertainment on 11th December, 2017 which had to be cancelled. Urgent messages cancelling food preparations and late Pantomime practice were the order of the day. Everything was put on hold until January 29th when another problem presented itself, the central heating in the hall had developed a fault, but with true WI stoicism the late Christmas celebration went ahead. Heaters surrounded the hall and WI members created warmth as they laughed and chatted through the afternoon. Members and guests enjoyed a well presented and prepared lunch of savouries, cold meats and salads followed by home-made desserts.
After lunch The Tupsley Choir, led by Ann Martyn, sang a medley of well-known songs.
After the ladies had sung John, a friend of a member, played ‘Day Dream’, one of his own compositions while tea was being served before the final entertainment of the afternoon.
In keeping with Christmas tradition, some members, under the direction of Sian Bayliss presented a version of Snow White. John played the accompaniment which kept the seven dwarfs in tune as they sang the popular ‘Hi ho, hi ho song. The audience joined in singing and also with good voice to the well-known pantomime phrase ‘Oh yes she is’ to ‘Oh no she’s not’.
All turned out well for a lovely afternoon that was enjoyed by everyone.
ALLENSMORE
Allensmore have started 2018 with two very enjoyable meetings. In January Eileen Dilley gave an amusing and informative talk on ' The Social History of Afternoon Tea”. As the January meeting was held in the afternoon the talk was followed by a sumptuous spread of cakes and biscuits with of course a welcome cup of tea. In February, at our usual meeting time of 7.30pm, Gordon Taylor gave a film show on 'Hidden Herefordshire and Borders”. Gordon has for 33 years been official photographer for Hereford Cathedral so it was no surprise to find his stills of churches, houses and Herefordshire countryside absolutely beautiful. The accompanying soundtrack was quite uplifting and relaxing.
We were very pleased to welcome three new members at our February meeting. In March we look forward to a talk on 'Pressed Flowers' to be given by Yvonne Mort.
BISHOPSWOOD
At Bishopswood WI's first meeting of 2018 on Friday 9th February, we began the meeting with “Jerusalem” and then had our normal business meeting.
We then had the pleasure of listening to Yvette Farrell, Principal of Harts Barn Cookery School in Longhope talking and demonstrating "Chocolate making for Valentine's Day". Yvette started by telling us about the versatility of the cocoa bean which has similar flavours to the coffee bean. The cocoa bean grows on trees, is handpicked and each bean can have different flavours. It is a dried and fully fermented seed from which cocoa solids and, because of the seed's fat, cocoa butter can be extracted. The beans are the basis of chocolate. Yvette passed around samples of the cocoa butter and cocoa nibs for us to try. She recommends always buying the most expensive chocolate at least 70% cocoa solids (though she tends to use 56% disks which have a naturally sweeter flavour). These tempered disks which are easier to melt by using a glass bowl in the microwave. Don’t use plastic as it absorbs the fats from the chocolate. To make chocolate you only need good quality chocolate, a glass bowl, tea spoon, fork, microwave and moulds. We learned that if chocolate is incorrectly stored and exposed to a wide range of temperatures, the cocoa fat will separate out from the rest of the chocolate, creating a dull grey hue and roughish texture (out of temper). The cycle of tempering is basically the right temperature and the right continuous mixing movement to make it shiny and smooth. Melt the chocolate by the 1 minute 5 second rule – melt then take out and mix and continue to do this several times until it is the desired consistency and shine. Once the chocolate is in the mould it needs to be banged on the table to ensure there are no air bubbles.
While Yvette let the chocolate set in the fridge (ideally leaving it to set at room temperature for longer is better) we stopped for welcome refreshments made by two of the WI members.
Half an hour later we were able to sample the dark and white chocolate hearts made in the silicone moulds. Yvette then showed us how to transfer coloured heart shapes and dried strawberries on to the chocolate. She also then told us about the many other ways of making chocolates with many different fillings. There is even a lady called Sarah Jones who paints with chocolate!
STOKE PRIOR & DISTRICT
Members of Stoke Prior & District WI were enthralled when they welcomed Jane Davey to their February meeting who gave a powerpoint presentation on Faberge Eggs. On the day before Valentines, we were all hoping for a similar gift from a secret admirer!
SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT
Our speaker for the first afternoon meeting this year was Mr.John Turrell, who was unfazed by facing a technical hitch with his intended equipment and proceeded to talk about "Skeletons in the Cupboard". This was about Family History, which as anybody who's also delved into their ancestors knows, can throw up some interesting characters; from bigamists, liars and criminals of all kinds to those who became victims of murderers!
John has been exploring his forbears for 54 years, way before the internet and websites were available; back in the time when you had to physically go to a Records Office and make a manual search. He led us through the steps a beginner might find helpful but stressed THE most important thing is to talk to family members while they're still here and can answer questions to set you off on the right path.
The competition was a most colourful one; a pretty scarf. Norma very carefully went along seeing which had the most "votes". We all enjoyed meeting and catching up after last being together in December.
Next month we meet on Wednesday March 14th at 2pm when Mrs. Margaret Roy will be telling us all about The Wye Valley Walk and when our competition will be "an item to be rescued in the face of disaster" which may very well lead to some interesting items.
That's all in Saltmarshe & District Hall Do come along.........
ASTON INGHAM
Mr. Graham Wren came to Aston Ingham W.I. to give us a talk and show us slides of 'The Emerald Isle.' Mr. Wren used to take groups of Americans to Ireland on tours, he would take them to various islands and to towns like Galway which is very colourful with a busy market. Mr. Wren loves landscapes, the lighting in the pictures which he had taken at different times of the day, was very special. Skellig, one of the islands which the groups would visit survived Viking attacks, there are monastic remains there from 600 AD. Gannets nest on Skellig, the boat trip there is very challenging to say the least.
STAUNTON ON ARROW
Gill Bullock from Wellington WI gave a very interesting talk with pictures about taking part in the Ride Across Britain by bicycle, from Lands End to John O Groats (LeJog!). She and her neighbour decided to take part together. She had to train for eight months before the event in September 2015. She rode 966 miles in 9 days, averaging 108 miles a day with the longest day being 128 miles. It was a fully supported ride with 800 participants and most people were raising money for charity. Gill raised money for the library at her childrens’ school in Wellington.
BOSBURY
At the February open meeting we welcomed Rayeesa from Mordiford for a cookery demonstration. Rayeesa turned her background and knowledge of Indian cookery into a business by giving cookery classes, and making curry sauces which she sells to Farmers’ Markets and local outlets.
She showed us how to make a delicious spicy samosa, and told us to be careful how we store our spices. They must be in a cool place and away from daylight. The top seven spices in Indian cookery are turmeric, chilli, cumin, mustard seeds, paprika, and garam masala.
President, Isabel reported that Bosbury will be sending 2 teams to the WI Quiz on 16th March, and in May will be manning a plant and garden stall at the Farmers’ Market in the Parish Hall. We were also reminded to keep knitting poppies (pattern available) for the village project to be displayed in the church to mark 100 years since the end of WW1.
The next meeting is on Thursday 8th March at 7.30 pm in the Parish Hall when Wendy Steadman will be showing us how to make a bag. Please bring a sewing machine if you have one. The craft evenings continue on the first and third Thursdays of the month. New members are always welcome. For further information please phone Helen on 01531 640337
WYE WOMEN
To celebrate the WI 'Show the Love' campaign on Valentine's Day, Wye Women WI, members were treated to delicious heart shaped biscuits kindly made by members of the committee and a packet of flower seeds to encourage our bees.
These were very welcome after a very energetic, although enjoyable meeting ! Becs White put us through our dance steps with an introduction to 'FitSteps' - waltz, rumba and salsa certainly kept us entertained and lots of laughs accompanied the steps. Strictly Come Dancing 2018 here we come !!
We were delighted to welcome some new guests and members and with Spring approaching we have a varied interesting programme of events/speakers to look foward to.
SPARKLING WYE
Carol Bond, a teacher of TMW - Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing, was the February speaker. Carol explained that this is a simple, very flexible, sequence of movements performed within an individual’s comfort zone, or soft limits, so there is no strain on the body. It is based on Tai Chi and Chi Kung tradition but is much shorter and easier to learn, the benefits can quickly be noticed with daily practice. Benefits can be increased body and mind coordination, circulation and flexibility. Members enjoyed participating in a few of the movements which can be performed while standing or seated.
LLANWARNE & DISTRICT
Llanwarne & District WI held their February Meeting on a very cold and frosty evening. Having made the decision to hold exclusively evening meetings in the future, the officers wondered if members and guests would be eager to leave their warm homes for the not so comfy Village Hall. Well, it was an exceptional turnout and members were delighted to be joined by so many new visitors - and clearly those who work want to play too!
The speaker for the evening was Clyde Hoare, Master Basket Maker from Wobbage Craft Centre. Clyde regularly runs courses and demonstrations at Wobbage and all the assembled audience were mesmerised and enthralled by his dexterity! During the evening he completed a Garden Obelisk, for which there was a draw and lucky Kay Walton was able to take it home for her garden.
UPTON BISHOP
On Tuesday 13th February 2018 the meeting of Upton Bishop WI was opened by President Jane Pendlebury who welcomed members.
After a short business meeting Jacqui Woodhouse welcomed the speaker for the evening Malcolm Watkins, former curator and heritage officer of Gloucester Museum whose lecture was entitled “Cabinet of Curiosities”.
After a brief introduction he challenged members to a quiz. He had brought with him an array of 5 antiquities for members to examine. In teams of four the members had to determine the use of the object, what it was made of, and where and when it was made and also the date of it.
It proved to be very entertaining as the objects ranged from a 1920 English Tin Opener to an Indian Betel Cutter made of Brass and Steel dated 1918.
Members were asked to bring along items for the months competition which was titled “A Curio” which Malcolm was asked to judge. It was won by Di Buckley.
The Vote of thanks was given by Pat Hughes and the meeting closed with a raffle and coffee and biscuits.
Upton Bishop WI meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Upton Bishop Millennium Hall at 7.30 p.m.
Anyone interested in joining are most welcome. Please contact either President Jane Pendlebury on 01989 780763 or Secretary Clare Bell on 01989 780383 for further information.
LEDBURY
After welcoming everyone to the Valentine’s Day meeting, our president Margaret Coulson introduced two representatives of the TSB who had asked to speak to the meeting to give advice as to how we could protect ourselves from fraud.
Members then took to the floor to speak on the evening’s theme - ‘Thanks for the Memory’ - recalling their special memories of people, places and music. Their presentations were brilliant and offered an insight into their lives. Jenny Harrison remembered the presentation of the military MBE to her husband and how he made the Queen laugh. Jean Harper told us about the hymn which had been included in 3 family funerals and 2 family weddings and was to be included at her own funeral. Jenny Treasure recalled her explorations and experiences travelling in the United States with her husband. Jenny Strudwicke told us about her family’s escape to England from Normandy in September 1939 as the invading troops entered France. All very personal and expertly presented.
Naturally the evening’s competition was for ‘A Heart’ with many and varied entries.
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 14 March at 7.30 pm at the Parish Room of the Catholic Church New Street Ledbury HR8 2EE.
The speaker will be Peter Garner speaking on “The Natural Wonders of the Malverns”.
Visitors are always welcome.
LEOMINSTER LASSES
Last month, amidst a great deal of laughter, with much clashing of sticks and waving of hankies, the Leominster Lasses attempted a traditional Cotswold Morris dance, under the expert guidance of Jenny Pipes Morris. We also learnt a little about the origins of Morris dancing and in particular the background to the dance we ‘performed’. Our thanks to Herefordshire’s one and only women’s Morris side for an entertaining and invigorating evening!
CRADLEY
Cradley WI celebrated their 80th Birthday with a party and live entertainment by Alive & Pickin’. Val Lewis, Chair Of Herefordshire Federation kindly joined in the fun. Our cake was made by Joy Edwards our Treasurer which Val Lewis and Cherril Watkins (President) cut before a lovely afternoon tea.
CRADLEY
Cradley hosted a Soup & Sweet Lunch to get behind the resolution Alleviating Loneliness.
Forty three people came along and had some wonderful home made soup and sweets.
